Post by bgundersen on Sept 9, 2008 7:41:38 GMT -5

Does anyone know if a goat biting another goats ear will cause it to become VERY infected? Or if there is anyway to stop them biting at each other? (Its a stretch, but have to ask anyway!)

Yesterday I was out helping my hubby trim hooves and we noticed our best milker had a massively swollen ear (my son milked that morning and said he didnt notice-12 year olds are oblivious at times). My goats like to nip each others ears when at the hay feeder and I think that is what happened, there is a scrap on the end of her ear about the size of two quarters side by side as well as a couple clear bite marks elsewhere on her ear. Its swollen to 2-3 times its normal size and there is a little swelling around the ear socket and jaw as well. It was oozing pretty bad (not much blood) so I got it cleaned up and disinfected and then put some bag balm on it to try and keep it protected from the flies (I dont think a bandage would stay on an ear anyway). I also gave her some penicillin for the infection, just in case. A few hours after the injection the jaw swelling had gone down but I couldnt really tell if the ear swelling had. I am hoping overnight it will have improved some more.

Post by cabrito on Sept 9, 2008 9:18:45 GMT -5

hey with those kinda goats maybe they should become guard dogs.... sounds like you have things undercontrol... i would keep the scraped area clean and dressed... i would give her some tetanus antitoxin just in case she scraped it on a something....

Post by wisdomseeker07 on Sept 10, 2008 10:53:10 GMT -5

Post by bgundersen on Sept 10, 2008 18:55:37 GMT -5

Well, the swelling is almost completely gone now, the scrape has scabbed over well and looks good, no infection. Looks like I caught it before it got too bad. Shes a good goat, didnt complain at all about the pokes in the leg for her pen and the scrubbing on her ear. I sure would like to know who chomped her ear tho, I would give them a chewing out! LOL